RIVER FALLS, Wis. – The UW-River Falls football team opened the 2025 NCAA Division III Playoffs with a 58-7 win over Chapman University on Saturday at Ramer Field, improving to 10-1 overall to establish a new school record for wins in a season.
In the first ever NCAA Division III Football home playoff game in UWRF history, the Falcons totaled 492 yards of offense and averaged 7.3 yards per play, while the defense generated six turnovers (four interceptions and two fumble recoveries) along with a takeaway on special teams. Chapman was held to one score early in the second quarter and finished just 2-of-16 on third down.
UWRF scored in all four quarters. Kaleb Blaha connected with Ben Wesolowski and Stephen Reifenberger for first-quarter touchdowns to establish a 14-0 lead. After Chapman's lone scoring drive, the Falcons responded with touchdowns from Blake Rohrer, Blaha on the ground, and Jaylen Reed to take a 34-7 advantage into halftime.
Blaha added a touchdown pass to Jake Hilton in the third quarter before Justin Scheberl converted a 32-yard field goal. In the fourth, Cade Fitzgerald found Reed for an 18-yard touchdown, and Jake Barnard added a five-yard rushing score.
Blaha completed 17 of 23 passes for 227 yards with four touchdowns, adding 81 rushing yards and a rushing score. With his completion total, Blaha reached a total of 304 on the year to break a UWRF single-season record, passing his former teammate Kole Hinrichsen's total of 290 from the 2021 season. Blaha also tied Hinrichsen's 2021 program single-season record with 28 passing touchdowns.
Rohrer led all receivers with 86 yards, while Reed, Hilton, Wesolowski, and Reifenberger each recorded touchdown receptions. The Falcons rushed for 190 yards overall with scores from Blaha, Reed, and Barnard.
Defensively, interceptions were recorded by Braden Jones, Jared Schultz, Riley Ashburn, and Alex Anderson, while Taylor Sussner secured both fumble recoveries. Noah Nusbaum led the unit with 12 tackles as UWRF held Chapman scoreless for the final 43 minutes.
UW-River Falls advances to host Saint John's University next Saturday, Dec. 6 at Smith Stadium in the third round of the NCAA Division III Playoffs. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. on Ramer Field.
